Chapter 16: I Will Take Responsibility

Metropolis, Fengshang Media Headquarters.

Lu Hua sat upright in his office, wearing a sycophantic smile as he spoke into the phone. Judging by his expression alone, no one would have guessed he was chatting with an ordinary person who hadn't even set foot in the entertainment industry.

“Hahaha, Mr. Su, I’m really not joking.”

“Yes, it’s indeed five million a year, and afterward, any income will be split fifty-fifty between you and the company.”

“And I can assure you, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Fengshang Media can get you to at least third-tier celebrity status within three years.”

Lu Hua’s face was all smiles, but inwardly he was cursing to himself.

In truth, he didn’t want to be doing this either. After all, as a department manager at Fengshang Media, there were plenty of second-tier stars who had to curry favor with him! But Lu Hua had no choice; last night he’d received a message from the board, instructing him to negotiate the contract with second- and third-tier terms, and even if the other party didn’t sign, he was to open every door for him and help him as much as possible in the industry.

Lu Hua had reached his position before thirty, and was no fool. He quickly deduced that this Su Chen was no ordinary person. At the very least, he must have a strong connection with someone on the board!

And someone like that was not to be offended.

On the other end of the line, Su Chen was left speechless by these enticing conditions.

Fortunately, Su Chen retained enough rationality to remind himself that there’s no such thing as a free lunch; it was either a trap or a debt of gratitude, and he wanted nothing to do with either, especially the latter.

So Su Chen politely declined, “I’m sorry, although your company’s offer is very generous, I currently have no intention of signing with any company.”

Hearing Su Chen’s reply, Lu Hua was surprised, but it only confirmed his suspicions!

If Su Chen was truly just an ordinary person, how could he resist an annual salary of five million? There could only be one explanation!

Su Chen was either the illegitimate son or the secret lover of some board member!

The illegitimate son theory seemed unlikely, so the secret lover scenario was far more probable!

But as far as I remember… any of those board members could be old enough to be my mother, right?

Tsk, this young man really is ruthless to himself—he’s certainly paved himself a wide road.

Lu Hua sighed inwardly, then quickly spoke up, “That’s truly a pity. Not signing you would be a real loss for Fengshang Media.”

“What I just told you remains valid for the long term. As long as you’re willing, you’re always welcome at Fengshang Media.”

Su Chen had already been stunned several times by Lu Hua’s words, and was no longer surprised.

“All right. If I ever consider signing with a company, I’ll definitely consider Fengshang Media first,” Su Chen replied sincerely.

He truly meant it; for a company as large as Fengshang Media, for a department head to treat a total unknown like himself so “courteously” was something Su Chen had never imagined.

Big companies truly have their own ways of doing things!

Finishing his words, Su Chen was about to hang up.

But the next moment, Lu Hua continued, “Additionally, although the contract didn’t go through this time, I still have high hopes for you, Mr. Su. Next month, Xiang Province Satellite TV will be recording a talent show called ‘Tomorrow’s Star.’ The lineup was already set, but one contestant has just withdrawn at the last minute.”

Upon hearing this, Su Chen hesitantly asked, “Manager Lu, do you mean…”

Lu Hua chuckled, “You know the relationship between Fengshang Media and Xiang Province TV. I’ve already recommended you to the show’s production team, so someone should be contacting you soon.”

This time, even with all his mental preparation, Su Chen was left frozen.

At that moment, he had only one thought.

Am I… really the secret child of the Fengshang Media chairman?

After all, for these kinds of shows, every spot is fought over tooth and nail. Even if someone drops out last minute, there are always countless people vying for the chance!

It’s all about capital behind the scenes!

Yet here was Lu Hua telling him a spot had “opened up,” and not only that, he was being recommended directly to the show…

This time, Su Chen was completely at a loss.

Unable to contain himself, he asked Lu Hua, “Manager Lu, may I ask why Fengshang Media values me so highly?”

Why? Surely you know the reason in your heart!

Lu Hua rolled his eyes, though his voice remained gentle.

“Because Fengshang Media believes in your future! Think of it as us building a good relationship in advance, hahaha!”

Su Chen’s mouth twitched.

What, do you think life is a novel? Only the protagonist of some feel-good story would believe that!

But Su Chen really didn’t know any executives at Fengshang Media!

Unable to figure it out for now, Su Chen decided to put the matter aside.

“Ah, hahaha, thank you for thinking so highly of me, Manager Lu!”

“It’s all thanks to your own talent, Mr. Su! All right, I have some things to attend to here. Next time, let’s have a drink together!”

“Haha, absolutely! It’ll be my treat!”

After a few more polite exchanges, they hung up, and just then the car pulled up at Su Chen’s apartment complex.

Carrying the packed noodles, Su Chen returned home. After setting the noodles on the dining table, he headed to Han Jiangxue’s bedroom, intending to knock on the door.

But before his hand could reach it, the door swung open on its own, and Han Jiangxue, hair tousled, emerged from the room.

For a moment, their eyes met, both frozen in place, and Han Jiangxue’s face visibly flushed red.

“Um… I packed some noodles for you. They’re on the table, you can eat after you freshen up,” Su Chen said.

Han Jiangxue’s lips parted, but no words came out.

After several seconds, she finally mustered the courage to ask, “Was it… was it you who brought me home last night?”

“Yes, it was.”

Han Jiangxue clutched her sleeve, lowered her head, and asked again, “And… and my clothes, did you… did you take them off for me?”

“…Yes.”

At first, Su Chen was still a bit confused, but seeing Han Jiangxue’s expression, he realized she was overthinking things.

“What are you imagining! I only took off your coat and socks, just to make you more comfortable while sleeping… I didn’t do anything else, I swear!” Su Chen hurriedly explained.

“You… you even took off my socks, so… so you must have seen my feet…” Han Jiangxue’s face was bright red, her voice growing softer.

Though Han Jiangxue was usually carefree, deep down she was a very conservative girl, well protected by her parents.

What happened last night was already crossing the line for her.

In all her years, she’d never had another man see her feet…

For a moment, Su Chen didn’t know what to do, and blurted out in a panic,

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely take responsibility!”